Public Access to Government Information Award

A principal tenet of the American Association of Law Libraries is the right of equal access to information for all to ensure an informed citizenry and to promote a just and democratic society. Established in 1998, the Public Access to Government Information Award is given to recognize persons or organizations that have made significant contributions to protect and promote greater public access to government information.

Eligibility:

Recipients of the award may be an individual or organization. Members of the AALL Government Relations Office are not eligible. Recipients need not be law librarians or members of AALL.

Administration of the Award:

The Public Access to Government Information Award shall be administered by the AALL Government Relations Committee in coordination with the AALL Awards Committee. The Government Relations Committee shall solicit and review nominations for the award. The committee will select one or more recipients each year for the PAGI Award, or no recipient if it deems none of the nominees sufficiently qualified, and will submit the winning recipient's name(s) to the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee will oversee the grant of the PAGI Award to the recipient(s) selected by the Government Relations Committee. The Government Relations Committee will handle subsequent publicity activities and any miscellaneous tasks that arise in the administration of the award.

Judging Criteria:

A contribution that significantly improves public access to government information, thereby increasing the public's knowledge about the workings of government. The award is given in accordance with AALL's mission to provide leadership in the field of legal information and to promote equal access to government information. The award will reflect this by honoring the achievements of those who have championed public access.

The extent to which the individual or organization has had a positive impact on protecting and promoting public access to governmental information.

The extent to which the effort advances the AALL mission and Government Relations Policy.

Nominations must be submitted no later than Feb. 1 of each year. The committee will complete its deliberations and the administrative aspects of the award by April 1.

The Government Relations Committee will review the nominations and make a final decision on who will receive the award. Each nominee shall be considered individually and confidentially and will be judged according to the criteria listed above. Sources of information for the committee about a candidate include the nominating letter(s) and recommendation(s) from the Government Relations Committee. To ensure confidentiality, contact with members of AALL other than the person(s) nominating, Awards Committee members, and Government Relations Committee members should be avoided.

Frequency and number of awards: The award may be presented annually, but there is no requirement that the award be given each year.

Award Presentation:

The award shall be presented during the AALL Annual Meeting, and it will be given in the name of the Association. It will consist of an appropriate memorial to honor the achievements of the individual or organization.

Previous Winners:

2014: Mississippi College of Law Library, Jackson, MS: Legislative History Project

2013: Aaron Swartz, Awarded Posthumously, Internet Activist, co-founder of Demand Progress, New York, NY for his dedication to promoting and protecting public access to government information